P-068: SOCIO-ECONOMIC ASPECTS OF SICKLE CELL DISEASE CASES IN ODISHA, INDIA
Authors: DASH S., DASH B., DASH N., DASH B.
Journal: HemaSphere (2022)

Purpose: Occurrence of sickle cell gene in Odisha state is known since 1952. It is very widespread among the people of western districts of the state. A great deal of literature on distribution, clinical presentation and haematological parameters of sickle cell disease cases have been documented. Due to varied morbidities the sickle cell disorder patients regularly visit the health centres frequently. The gene frequencies in certain caste groups have been reported to be very high and probably due to various social and traditional beliefs. Further most of the patients were from low income groups and rigid cultural tradition. Keeping in view this study was performed to explore some of the socio-economic aspects of such debilitating health problem in the state. Materials and methods: The various haemoglobinopathy cases including sickle cell disorder cases reporting to Government Medical college hospitals (Burla and Berhampur) and district headquarters hospital, Balasore, Sishu Bavan hospital, Bhubaneswar, representing the different part of the state were taken for the study. Relevant data pertaining to the study were collected by applying questionnaire method from either of the parents of 100 haemoglobinopathy cases from Balasore, 98 cases from Bhubaneswar, 100 cases from Burla and 90 cases from Berhampur. Results: Majority of sickle cell disorder cases were from western and southern districts of the state. However such cases were also reported from the eastern and northern districts of the state also. Nineteen percent (19%) of parents of Beta thalassaemia patients had consanguineous marriage, where as it was 10% among the parent of sickle cell patients. Because of the disease a good number of children were not attending school (Beta Thalassaemia-24%, Sickle cell disease-28%) and school dropouts were 3% and 5% respectively. Forty two (42%) percentage of sickle cell patients were having blood group O+ and the blood groups O+ and B+ were equally (38%) present among the studied thalassaemia patients. More than eighty percent of parents’ income of sickle cell disorder patients was less than Rs.4000/- per month and only 2% of such parents’ income exceeds the income range of above Rs.10000/- per month. Father’s of the studied sickle cell patients were not well educated, 34% ware illiterate and 45% received primary education. Similarly Forty percent (40%) mothers were illiterate and 43% were having primary level of education. Conclusion: The sickle cell disease patients were reported from all the regions of the Odisha state and majority were from western part of the state. Contrary to the belief very few numbers of consanguineous marriages were observed among the parents of sickle cell disease cases. The parents of sickle cell disease cases were facing heavy financial burden for proper clinical management. The literacy levels of the parents were also very inadequate. The need of blood transfusion particularly of the B+ and O+ blood groups is also very high. It is highly desirable to initiate social intervention and economic support for these patients and their parents by the government as well as non government organisations of the state. The authors do not declare any conflict of interest